Push-pull type fiber optic connector assembly

ABSTRACT

A push-pull type fiber optic connector assembly includes a fiber optic connector connectable to fiber optic adapter and including connector housing, latch having elastic arm extended from top of connector housing for locking connector housing to fiber optic adapter, recessed portion located at bottom side relative to latch, pressure rod extended from recessed portion, fiber ferrule mounted in cable passage inside connector housing, connector sub assembly mounted in connector housing to hold fiber ferrule and fiber optic cable having fiber core inserted through fiber ferrule, and operating handle including sliding cap movably capped on connector housing, push member having push arm forwardly extended from sliding cap, cam located at one side of push arm and inserted into recessed portion of fiber optic connector, and handle shaft extended from sliding cap to pull sliding cap backwards in forcing down wedge-shaped pressure rod for disengaging fiber optic connector from fiber optic adapter.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/013,010, filed 2 Feb. 2016, which claims priority toProvisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/179,394, filed 7 May 2015,the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electrical connector technology andmore particularly, to a push-pull fiber optic connector assembly, whichcomprises a fiber optic connector holding the fiber core of a fiberoptic cable in a fiber ferrule inside a connector housing and having alatch for locking the connector housing to a fiber optic adapter, and anoperating handle having a sliding cap located at the front side andcoupled to the connector housing and a push member for biasing the latchto unlock the connector housing of the fiber optic connector from thefiber optic adapter when the user pulls the handle shaft of theoperating handle backwards.

2. Description of the Related Art

With rapid development of modern communications technology and theInternet, data centers and telecommunications providers are trying hardto provide relative equipment having the characteristics of highdensity, high transmission speed, high capacity and high intelligence.In order to meet the demands for faster data transmission speed, smallerfootprint and lower energy consumption, the physical infrastructure ofcabling system has been receiving more attention than ever before. Cableand optical fiber transmission systems are two important transmissionmedia in a data center cabling system. When compared with a cabletransmission system, an optical fiber transmission system has theadvantages of wider bandwidth, faster transmission speed, longertransmission distance, thinner dimension, stronger anti-electromagneticinterference and better confidentiality. Optical fiber transmissionsystem is bound to become the hottest trend in the future.

Further, a variety of fiber optic connectors are commercially available,but SC and LC connectors are the most common types of connectors on themarket. An LC duplex connector incorporates two round ceramic ferruleswith outer diameters of 1.25 mm and a duplex pitch of 6.25 mm. Twosimplex LC connectors can be joined to create one duplex LC connector.Thus, LC type fiber optic connector not only has the advantage ofdimensional and alignment precision, but also provides simplex/duplextransmission application flexibility. When connecting multiple fiberoptic connectors together, a fiber optic adapter is generally used forconnecting the rear connections of the fiber optic connectors. Inapplication, ceramic or copper fiber ferrules are used to protect fibercores of fiber optic cables, minimizing optical signal transmissionloss.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a conventional LC type fiber optic connector.As illustrated, this design of fiber optic connector A comprises a fronthousing A1, a latch A11 obliquely backwardly extended from the top wallof the front housing A1, a fiber ferrule A2 mounted in the front housingA1, a compression spring (not shown) mounted around a PTFE tube (notshown) at the rear side of the fiber ferrule A2, a rear housing A3connected to the rear side of the front housing A1, a fiber optic cableA4 mounted in the rear housing A3 with the fiber core thereof insertedinto the fiber ferrule A2, and a press plate A31 obliquely forwardlyextended from the top wall of the rear housing A3. In installation, thefront housing A1 of the fiber optic connector A is inserted into oneconnector chamber B2 in an adapter housing B1 of a fiber optic adapterB. When inserting the front housing A1 into one connector chamber B2,the latch A11 is forced by the inner top wall of the connector chamberB2 to curve downwards, and thus, the front housing A1 can be smoothlyinserted into the connector chamber B2 to the position where the latchA11 is forced into engagement with a retaining groove B21 in theconnector chamber B2 to lock the fiber optic connector A to the fiberoptic adapter B. On the contrary, when wishing to remove the fiber opticconnector A from the fiber optic adapter B, the user can press the pressplate A31 to curve the latch A11 downwards and to further disengage thelatch A11 from the retaining groove B21, thereby unlocking fiber opticconnector A from the fiber optic adapter B. However, according to thisprior art design, the direction to press the latch A11 of the fiberoptic connector A and the direction to pull the fiber optic connector Aout of the fiber optic adapter B are different. Further, in actualapplication it is quite inconvenient to access the fingers to the pressplate A31 of the fiber optic connector A in a fiber optic connectorarray, complicating fiber optic connector mounting and dismountingoperations.

In order to satisfy the requirements for high density and highefficiency installation, a supplementary tool C can be used for quickremoval of the fiber optic connector A from the fiber optic adapter B.The supplementary tool C comprises a handle C1, and a lever C2perpendicularly extended from one end of the handle C1. In application,attach the rear end of the handle C1 to the fiber optic cable A4, andthen insert the lever C2 into the space inside the connector chamber B2around the latch A11, and then pull the handle C1 backwards to force thelever C2 downwardly against the latch A11 and to further disengage thelatch A11 from the retaining groove B21 in the connector chamber B2,unlocking the fiber optic connector A from the fiber optic adapter B andfor allowing the fiber optic connector A to be moved backwardly with thesupplementary tool C out of the fiber optic adapter B. However, it takestime to remove the fiber optic connector A out of the fiber opticadapter B using the supplementary tool C. This operation procedure isstill not very convenient. When mounting or dismounting a large numberof fiber optic connectors A, the maintenance and replacement time willbe largely increased. Thus, the use of this design of supplementary toolis still not satisfactory.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a fiber optic connector designthat facilitates mounting and dismounting with less effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances inview. It is therefore the main object of the present invention toprovide a push-pull type fiber optic connector assembly, which comprisesa fiber optic connector and an operating handle. The fiber opticconnector is connectable to a fiber optic adapter, comprising aconnector housing, a latch having an elastic arm backwardly extendedfrom the top of the connector housing for locking the connector housingto the fiber optic adapter, a recessed portion located at a rear bottomside relative to the latch, a wedge-shaped pressure rod backwardlyextended from the recessed portion, a fiber ferrule mounted in a cablepassage inside the connector housing, a connector sub assembly mountedin the connector housing to hold the fiber ferrule in place, and a fiberoptic cable having a fiber core inserted through the fiber ferrule. Theoperating handle comprises a sliding cap movably capped on the connectorhousing, a push member having a push arm forwardly extended from thesliding cap, a cam located at one lateral side of a distal end of thepush arm and inserted into the recessed portion of the fiber opticconnector, and a handle shaft backwardly extended from the sliding capand operable to pull the sliding cap backwards in forcing down thewedge-shaped pressure rod for disengaging the fiber optic connector fromthe fiber optic adapter. Because the operating handle pulling directionis the same as the direction of withdrawing the fiber optic connectorout of the fiber optic adapter, this single-action operation isergonomically in conformity with natural gestures, and thus, theinvention achieves convenient single-hand operation with less effort.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, theconnector sub assembly comprises a front mating receptacle connected tothe connector housing, a rear hollow connection axially backwardlyextended from the front mating receptacle and coupled with the outerjacket of the fiber optic cable, and a stop block located at the topside of the front mating receptacle adjacent to the rear hollowconnection. The operating handle further comprises an opening located ata front side of the rectangular sliding cap, a receptacle chamberdefined in the rectangular sliding cap between two opposite side panelsof the rectangular sliding cap in communication with the opening, aposition-limit slot located in the top wall of the sliding cap incommunication with the receptacle chamber for receiving the stop blockof the connector sub assembly. When pulling the operating handle, thestop block of the connector sub assembly is moved in the position-limitslot and then stopped at the front side of the position-limit slot,preventing disconnection of the operating handle from the fiber opticconnector to cause function failure or structural damage.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, theoperating handle comprises the opening located at a front side of therectangular sliding cap, the receptacle chamber defined in therectangular sliding cap between two opposite side panels of therectangular sliding cap in communication with the opening, and two slitsrespectively located at the two side panels of the rectangular slidingcap and longitudinally extended to the opening. Subject to the effect ofthe slits, the opposing top and bottom walls of the sliding cap of theoperating handle can be forced vertically outwards by the connector subassembly for enabling the stop block of the connector sub assembly to bemoved into the position-limit slot in the top wall of the sliding cap ofthe operating handle, simplifying the installation of the push-pull typefiber optic connector assembly, enhancing structural stability,facilitating installation and increasing the production efficiency.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, thewedge-shaped pressure rod of the latch of the fiber optic connector hasa width about ½ of the width of the elastic arm. Further, the push armextends forwardly from the sliding cap in an offset manner relative tothe wedge-shaped pressure rod of the latch. The push member of theoperating handle further comprises a shoulder forwardly extended fromone lateral side of the push arm, and a gap defined between the shoulderand the push arm for receiving the wedge-shaped pressure rod of thelatch. The design of the shoulder prevents the wedge-shaped pressure rodof the latch from being pressed accidentally to unlock the latch of thefiber optic connector from the fiber optic adapter.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fullyunderstood by reference to the following specification in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs denotelike components of structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique elevational view of a push-pull type fiber opticconnector assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the push-pull type fiber optic connectorassembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG. 2 when viewed from another angle.

FIG. 4 is a schematic applied view of the present invention beforeinsertion of the push-pull type fiber optic connector assembly into afiber optic adapter.

FIG. 5 is a sectional applied view of the present invention,illustrating insertion of the push-pull type fiber optic connectorassembly into the selected connector chamber of the fiber optic adapter(I).

FIG. 6 is a sectional applied view of the present invention,illustrating insertion of the push-pull type fiber optic connectorassembly into the selected connector chamber of the fiber optic adapter(II).

FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 6, illustrating the fiber optic connector ofthe push-pull type fiber optic connector assembly locked to the fiberoptic adapter.

FIG. 8 is a schematic elevational view of the present invention,illustrating a withdrawing operation of the push-pull type fiber opticconnector assembly from the fiber optic adapter.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of the present invention,illustrating withdrawal of the push-pull type fiber optic connectorassembly from the fiber optic adapter.

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the push-pull typefiber optic connector assembly moved out of the fiber optic adapter.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a fiber optic connector according tothe prior art.

FIG. 12 is a schematic applied view of the prior art fiber opticconnector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a push-pull type fiber optic connector assemblyin accordance with the present invention is shown. The push-pull typefiber optic connector assembly comprises a fiber optic connector 1 andan operating handle 2.

The fiber optic connector 1 comprises a rectangular connector housing11, a latch 12 suspending at a top side of the connector housing 11, afiber ferrule 13, a connector sub assembly 14, and a fiber optic cable15.

The latch 12 comprises an elastic arm 121 having an upwardly backwardsloping top guide surface 1211, two coupling blocks 122 respectivelyprotruded from two opposite lateral sides of the elastic arm 121, arecessed portion 123 located at a rear side of the top guide surface1211, a wedge-shaped pressure rod 124 of width about ½ of the width ofthe elastic arm 121 backwardly extended from the recessed portion 123and suspending above the elevation of the coupling blocks 122, aconnection plate 1231 located at a bottom side of the recessed portion123, a reinforcing rib 1232 perpendicularly located at one lateral sideof the connection plate 1231 and connected between the elastic arm 121and the wedge-shaped pressure rod 124, and a pushing surface 1241located at a front side of the wedge-shaped pressure rod 124 adjacent tothe reinforcing rib 1232 and sloping downwardly forwardly toward therecessed portion 123.

Further, the connector housing 11 of the fiber optic connector 1comprises a cable passage 110 extending through opposite front and rearends thereof for accommodating the fiber ferrule 13, the connector subassembly 14 and the fiber optic cable 15, and two locating blocks 111respectively located at two opposing rear bottom sides thereof. Thefiber ferrule 13 comprises a front ceramic tube 131 and a rear extensiontube 132 axially aligned in line. The connector sub assembly 14comprises a front mating receptacle 141, a rear hollow connection 143axially backwardly extended from the front mating receptacle 141, and astop block 142 located at a top side of the front mating receptacle 141adjacent to the rear hollow connection 143. The extension tube 132 isinserted into the front mating receptacle 141 of the connector subassembly 14. Further, a spring member 133 is mounted inside the frontmating receptacle 141 of the connector sub assembly 14 around theextension tube 132 to support the fiber ferrule 13 in the connector subassembly 14. The front mating receptacle 141 of the connector subassembly 14 is fastened to the rear end of the connector housing 11 tokeep the rear hollow connection 143 in communication with the cablepassage 110 of the connector housing 11. The fiber optic cable 15comprises a fiber core 151 inserted through the rear extension tube B2and front ceramic tube 131 of the support the fiber ferrule 13 in theconnector sub assembly 14 to the outside of the fiber optic connector 1,an outer jacket 152 surrounding the fiber core 151, and a press-fit hole1521 located at a front side of the outer jacket 152 around the fibercore 151 and press-fitted onto the rear hollow connection 143 of theconnector sub assembly 14. Further, a dust cap 16 is capped on the frontend of the cable passage 110 of the connector housing 11.

The operating handle 2 comprises a rectangular sliding cap 21 movablycapped on the connector housing 11 of the fiber optic connector 1, anopening 201 located at a front side of the rectangular sliding cap 21, areceptacle chamber 20 defined in the rectangular sliding cap 21 betweentwo opposite side panels 211 of the rectangular sliding cap 21 incommunication with the opening 201, two slits 212 respectively locatedat the two side panels 211 and longitudinally extended to the opening201. A push member 22 comprises a push arm 221 forwardly extended from atop side of the sliding cap 21 in an offset manner relative to thewedge-shaped pressure rod 124 of the latch 12, and a cam 222 located atone lateral side of a distal end of the push arm 221 and inserted intothe recessed portion 123 of the latch 12, The cam 222 has a cut face2221 abutted against the pushing surface 1241.

The aforesaid push member 22 further comprises a shoulder 223 forwardlyextended from one lateral side of the push arm 221, and a gap 224defined between the shoulder 223 and the push arm 221 for receiving thewedge-shaped pressure rod 124 of the latch 12. When attaching thesliding cap 21 of the operating handle 2 onto the connector sub assembly14 of the fiber optic connector 1, the stop block 142 of the connectorsub assembly 14 is forced through the opening 201 into the receptaclechamber 20 in the sliding cap 21. At this time, subject to the effect ofthe slits 212, the opposing top and bottom walls of the sliding cap 21of the operating handle 2 are forced vertically outwards by theconnector sub assembly 14 for enabling the stop block 142 of theconnector sub assembly 14 to be moved into a position-limit slot 23 inthe top wall of the sliding cap 21 of the operating handle 2. Theoperating handle 2 further comprises a stop edge 231 located at a frontside of the position-limit slot 23 for stopping against the stop block142 of the connector sub assembly 14, and a handle shaft 24 horizontallybackwardly extended from a rear side of the sliding cap 21.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the push-pull type fiber optic connectorassembly is adapted for connection to a fiber optic adapter 3. The fiberoptic adapter 3 comprises an adapter housing 31, at least one pair ofconnector chambers 32 defined in the adapter housing 31, an insertionslot 321 defined in one end of each connector chamber 32, two horizontalsliding grooves 322 bilaterally and longitudinally located at a top sidein each connector chamber 32 and extended to the associating insertionslot 321, a stop wall 323 vertically disposed at an inner end of eachhorizontal sliding grooves 322, and a fiber holder 33 transverselyextended through two opposing lateral walls thereof across onerespective pair of connector chambers 32. There are many differentstructural designs for the fiber optic adapter 3, such as simplex,duplex or quad style with a transverse mounting slot, seat or othermember extended across each pair of connector chambers 32 for themounting of one respective fiber holder 33.

When mounting the push-pull type fiber optic connector assembly in oneconnector chamber 32 of the fiber optic adapter 3, aim the connectorhousing 11 of the fiber optic connector 1 at the selected connectorchamber 32 and then push the sliding cap 21 of the operating handle 2forwardly relative to the fiber optic connector 1 to stop the front edgeof the sliding cap 21 around the opening 201 at the locating blocks 111of the fiber optic connector 1 and to further move the connector housing11 of the fiber optic connector 1 into the selected connector chamber 32of the fiber optic adapter 3. At this time, the elastic arm 121 of thelatch 12 of the fiber optic connector 1 is abutted against an inner topwall of the insertion slot 321 of the selected connector chamber 32 ofthe fiber optic adapter 3. When continuously moving the fiber opticconnector 1 toward the inside of the selected connector chamber 32 ofthe fiber optic adapter 3, the top guide surface 1211 is forced by theinner top wall of the insertion slot 321 of the selected connectorchamber 32 of the fiber optic adapter 3, causing the elastic arm 121 toelastically curve downwards toward the top wall of the connector housing11 of the fiber optic connector 1 for allowing movement of the twocoupling blocks 122 into the respective horizontal sliding grooves 322in the respective connector chamber 32. After the fiber optic connector1 is set in position in the selected connector chamber 32 of the fiberoptic adapter 3, the elastic material property of the latch 12immediately returns the latch 12 to its former shape, forcing thecoupling blocks 122 into engagement with the respective stop walls 323,achieving the effects of low insertion force and high anti-pullstrength. Further, subject to the guidance of the fiber ferrule 13, thefiber core 151 of the fiber optic cable 15 is smoothly guided into thefiber holder 33 to achieve accurate connection for optimal opticalsignal transmission with minimized insertion loss and reflective loss.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, when going to disconnect the fiber opticconnector 1 from the fiber optic adapter 3, operate the handle shaft 24of the operating handle 2 to move the sliding cap 21 backwards relativeto the housing 11, forcing the cam 222 of the push member 22 against thewedge-shaped pressure rod 124 of the latch 12. At this time, the pushingsurface 1241 at the wedge-shaped pressure rod 124 is forced against thecut face 2221, causing the elastic arm 121 to curve downwards and tofurther disengage the coupling blocks 122 from the respective stop walls323 in the respective connector chamber 32, and thus, the fiber opticconnector 1 of the push-pull type fiber optic connector assembly isunlocked from the fiber optic adapter 3 and directly movable out of thefiber optic adapter 3. After removal of the fiber optic connector 1 ofthe push-pull type fiber optic connector assembly out of the fiber opticadapter 3, the latch 12 immediately returns to its former shape subjectto the effect of its elastic material property. Because the pullingdirection of the operating handle 2 is the same as the direction ofwithdrawing the fiber optic connector 1 out of the fiber optic adapter3, this single-action operation is ergonomically in conformity withnatural gestures, and thus, the invention achieves convenientsingle-hand operation with less effort.

Further, before pulling the operating handle 2, the wedge-shapedpressure rod 124 of the latch 12 is movably suspending in the gap 224between the shoulder 223 and push arm 221 of the operating handle 2 and,the shoulder 223 is disposed slightly above the elevation of thewedge-shaped pressure rod 124 of the latch 12. The design of theshoulder 223 prevents the wedge-shaped pressure rod 124 of the latch 12from being pressed accidentally to unlock the latch 12 of the fiberoptic connector 1 from the fiber optic adapter 3. Further, during theoperation of pulling the operating handle 2 backwards, the stop block142 of the connector sub assembly 14 will be moved in the position-limitslot 23 and then stopped at the stop edge 231, preventing disconnectionof the operating handle 2 from the fiber optic connector 1 to causefunction failure or structural damage.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described indetail for purposes of illustration, various modifications andenhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except asby the appended claims.

What the invention claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic connector assemblycomprising: a connector housing defining a cable passage extendingthrough opposing front and rear ends of the connector housing; a latchcomprising an elastic arm extending upwardly from a top surface of theconnector housing in a rearward direction from the front end of theconnector housing and a pressure rod extending in a rearward directionaway from a rear side of the elastic arm; and a handle movably coupledto the connector housing, the handle comprising a push arm, a cam, and ahandle shaft, wherein: the pressure rod comprises a pushing surfacedisposed at a front side of the pressure rod; the push arm is laterallyoffset relative to the pressure rod of the latch; the cam is located ata lateral side of the push arm and configured to contact the pushingsurface of the pressure rod; and the handle shaft extends backwardly inan opposite direction from the push arm and is configured to pull thehandle backwards to engage the pressure rod.
 2. The fiber opticconnector assembly of claim 1 wherein the elastic arm comprises a pairof coupling blocks respectively protruded from opposite lateral sides ofthe elastic arm configured to engage respective stop walls in theconnector chamber of the fiber optic adapter.
 3. The fiber opticconnector assembly of claim 1 wherein: the elastic arm and the pressurerod define a recessed portion disposed between the elastic arm and thepressure rod; and the elastic arm comprises a top guide surface slopingdownwardly forward of the recessed portion.
 4. The fiber optic connectorassembly of claim 1 wherein: the elastic arm and the pressure rod definea recessed portion disposed between the elastic arm and the pressurerod: and the connector housing comprises a connector plate coupled tothe rear side of the elastic arm and the pressure rod; the connectorplate is disposed at a bottom portion of the recessed portion couplingthe pressure rod to the elastic arm; and the pressure rod, the connectorplate, and the elastic arm define the recessed portion.
 5. The fiberoptic connector assembly of claim 4 wherein a reinforcing rib isdisposed at a lateral side of the connector plate at a bottom side ofthe recessed portion and is coupled to the elastic arm and the pressurerod.
 6. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1 wherein: thehandle comprises a sliding cap movably coupled to the connector housing;the push arm forwardly extends from the sliding cap; and the handleshaft backwardly extends from the sliding cap.
 7. The fiber opticconnector assembly of claim 6 wherein the sliding cap comprises a pairof opposing side panels defining a receptacle chamber between the pairof opposing side panels.
 8. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim7 wherein the sliding cap comprises a pair of slits respectivelydisposed at each of the opposing side panels of the sliding cap andlongitudinally extending to an opening of the receptacle channel.
 9. Thefiber optic connector assembly of claim 7 wherein the assembly furthercomprises: a fiber ferrule accommodated in the cable passage of theconnector housing; and a connector sub-assembly mounted in the connectorhousing and supporting the fiber ferrule.
 10. The fiber optic connectorassembly of claim 9 wherein the sliding cap further comprises aposition-limit slot disposed in a wall of the sliding cap incommunication with the receptacle chamber for receiving a stop block ofthe connector sub-assembly.
 11. The fiber optic connector assembly ofclaim 10 wherein: the connector subassembly comprises a front matingreceptacle and a rear hollow connection axially backwardly extendingfrom the front mating receptacle; and the stop block extends from a sideof the front mating receptacle adjacent to the rear hollow connection.12. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 9 wherein: the assemblyfurther comprises a fiber optic cable disposed within the cable passage;and the fiber optic cable comprises a fiber core inserted through thefiber ferrule.
 13. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 9wherein: the fiber ferrule comprises a front ceramic tube and a rearextension tube axially extended from the front ceramic tube and insertedinto the connector sub-assembly; and a spring member is mounted insidethe connector sub-assembly around the extension tube to support thefiber ferrule in the connector sub-assembly.
 14. The fiber opticconnector assembly of claim 6 wherein: the push arm of the handleextends forwardly from the sliding cap of the handle offset relative tothe pressure rod; the handle further comprises a forwardly extendingshoulder; and the push arm and the shoulder define a gap configured toreceive the pressure rod.
 15. The fiber optic connector assembly ofclaim 14 wherein the shoulder extends above an elevation of the pressurerod.
 16. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 6 wherein theconnector housing further comprises a pair of locating blocksrespectively disposed at two opposing rear bottom sides of the connectorhousing configured to stop against a front edge of the sliding cap ofthe handle.
 17. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1 whereinthe cam comprises a cut face abutting the pushing surface of thepressure rod.
 18. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising: a fiber ferrule accommodated in the cable passage of theconnector housing; and a connector sub-assembly mounted in the connectorhousing and supporting the fiber ferrule.
 19. The fiber optic connectorassembly of claim 18, further comprising a fiber optic cable disposedwithin the cable passage, wherein the fiber optic cable comprises afiber core inserted through the fiber ferrule.
 20. A method ofdisconnecting a fiber optic connector from a fiber optic to a fiberoptic adapter, the method comprising: providing a fiber optic connectorcomprising: a connector housing defining a cable passage extendingthrough opposing front and rear ends of the connector housing; a latchcomprising an elastic arm extending upwardly from a top surface of theconnector housing in a rearward direction from the front end of theconnector housing and a pressure rod extending in a rearward directionaway from a rear side of the elastic arm; and a handle movably coupledto the connector housing, wherein the handle comprises a push arm, acam, and a handle shaft, the pressure rod comprises a pushing surfacedisposed at a front side of the pressure rod, the push arm is laterallyoffset relative to the pressure rod of the latch, the cam is located ata lateral side of the push arm and configured to contact the pushingsurface of the pressure rod, and the handle shaft extends backwardly inan opposite direction from the push arm and is configured to pull thehandle backwards to engage the pressure rod; retracting the handle shaftrelative to the connector housing to force the cam against the pushingsurface of the pressure rod and disengage the fiber optic connector fromthe fiber optic adapter; and removing the fiber optic connector from thefiber optic connector.